Karl lowered his voice. “I am no longer the Prince of Lohenberg. What happens to me doesn’t matter, does it?”
“To us, you will always be our Fürst,” Bernard protested. “Your Highness, we know what Lohenberg means to you.”
“It’s no longer mine to rule,” he replied. “My half-brother holds that honor now.”
“But if something should happen to you—”
“No one would care,” Karl answered honestly. “My best hope is to win the princess’s hand in marriage. Now go to the king, as I’ve commanded.”
Bernard bowed low. “You have our loyalty, Your Highness. And I will return as soon as possible.”
“I’m going to win this wager,” Serena informed the prince, as she rode with him toward Durin’s fortress.
The Fürst sent her a pointed look that said he didn’t believe her, but Serena only smiled. Though she was uneasy about being alone with the prince, he’d offered her an agreement she couldn’t turn down. She needed his help in buying property, and once he’d settled her someplace safe, she’d have everything she needed. All she had to do was live alone with him for three days in a ruined abbey.
Her mother and sister would fall into hysterics if they learned of how far she’d fallen. Virtuous ladies never spent time withmen unchaperoned. They also didn’t run away from home with the intent of living the life of a spinster.
But it wasn’t the less-than-desirable circumstances that bothered her most. She could live with a leaking roof or terrible food—it was the prince himself who made her worry.
Already he’d kissed her once, and she’d relived the memory of Karl’s mouth on hers, each night as she drifted off to sleep. His firm lips, the unquenchable needs he’d evoked, haunted her still.
Though she didn’t believe he would take her against her will…she feared that he would use seduction as a weapon. He might use those stolen moments to weaken her resolve and make her want more than she was willing to give.
But I can still refuse to marry him.That was within her power, no matter how he tempted her. No matter how difficult the three days were.
Serena lifted her face to the salt spray, eager to arrive at the priest’s ruined abbey. Karl rode alongside her, his face shielded of any emotion. “You’re so certain you’re going to win?”
“Of course I am.”
His gaze passed over her cloaked attire, and he frowned. “And you were able to get dressed on your own?” She nodded, revealing none of the tactics she’d had to resort to. Although Frau Bauherzen had not come this morning to help her, Serena had worn her new gown backwards, leaving the corset behind.
The fabric was extremely tight, but she’d managed to button it up by herself, a feat she was quite proud of. Even so, she felt uneasy without the whalebone garment holding her curves back. The creamy taffeta strained against her breasts, leaving a few gaps in the buttons.
Three days, she reminded herself. There would be no one except the prince to witness her fashionfaux pas. And with the red cloak pulled tightly around her, the gown wasn’t visible.
When they reached the path that led through the forest toward the ruins, Father Durin was waiting for them. “It’s safe,” he pronounced, “and all is prepared for the two of you.” With a stern look toward Serena, he added, “I expect to preside over your wedding at the end of the three days.”
Serena said nothing, letting the priest believe what he wanted. Karl dismounted and helped her down. He then lifted the bundle of supplies from the horse and set them on the ground. The priest mounted Karl’s horse and took the reins of Serena’s mare. As he started to depart with the animals, she grew suspicious. “Why is Father Durin taking the horses?”
“Because commoners walk, Princess.” His tone held a nonchalant air that needled her.
“Not all of them.” With the disappearing horses, Serena now realized that the food supplies she’d packed would have to be carried by hand. Uphill.
She adjusted the ties of her bonnet and stared at the higher ground. He’d done this on purpose. Fürst Karl wasn’t about to play fair with this wager, and he intended to cheat every step of the way. Already he was leaving her to carry the supplies alone.
“Aren’t you going to help me?” she demanded.
He rested a hand on one of the trees and sent her a slow smile. “No.” Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the trunk. “But if you want to admit that you do need servants to help, we can end the wager this moment.”
Serena glared at him, unwilling to give up so soon. Bending over, she grasped one of the bundles with both hands. It was quite heavy, due to the books and food supplies she’d packed. She struggled to lift it as she made her way up the hill.
Karl was going to make this an impossible task, without question. But two could play that game.
She had to stop and rest several times, and the exertion made perspiration dampen her face. When at last she reached the topof the hill, she set the bundle down in front of the stone wall. The prince had retreated inside the fortress, and he returned with a bow and arrows.
“What are those for?” she questioned.
“I’m going to hunt for our meat tonight.” He nodded back down the hill. “Don’t forget the other bundle of supplies.”
